Dad Podcast

The topic for episode 53 is gender bias and how we can raise our children to not have it. We need to show our children that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. Little girls and little boys should see open and endless possibilities in front of them

We then go on to discuss various ways that we can begin to teach our kids not to have bias. This information was from an article in the OC Register.

1. Teach your kid to ask “Are the men doing it, too?”Questions like:
Are the men wearing skimpy costumes?
Are the men’s professional achievements prefaced by a note of their gender?
Are the men being asked who they’re wearing at entertainment award shows?
Are the men asked “How do you balance your work and personal life?

2. Point out gender bias when you see itPink toys versus blue toys. Who cares. The kids don’t unless we make them care

4. Have discussions about sexism in books, movies and life in generalBring up topics where you see they may have encountered these kind of issues and discuss them. At school when they learn about something, there may be an opportunity to bring in gender biases.

5. Adjust books to your likingKids book often use genders for roles. Feel free to mix it up. Instead of girls or boys in a story, use “all kids”

6. Teach children to advocate for themselves and othersLearn how to identify it and do something about it if needed. They should feel comfortable speaking up.

We also discuss that although it’s great to not have bias, there are differences that can be celebrated. The key is to not limit what our children can do and the possibilities ahead of them.